Calhoun's confidence was put to the test in overtime on Thursday at the Dunkin Donuts Center. An emotional game, a Big East game, and Providence was daring Calhoun to hit a big shot.

The game was tied and Ryan Boatright made a move to the basket. Four Friars converged.

"The whole team collapsed on me," Boatright said. "So I had to kick it out. Omar was wide open."

Calhoun took the past and unleashed one of his unorthodox shots and it was true, giving UConn a 79-76 lead with 42 seconds to play. Calhoun pumped his fist and let out a roar, as if he knew this was his biggest shot yet in a UConn uniform.

"It doesn't matter if you're a freshman, a sophomore, we're all basketball players out there," said Calhoun, who scored 13 points. "I just knew I had to be ready. That's what I've been working for."

One thing UConn has not had to worry about is Calhoun shying away after missing shots. He was 4 for 7 in this game, though, and 2 for 5 on threes.

"He doesn't shy away from a big shot, from the big stage," Kevin Ollie said. "But the play was made by Ryan, with his penetration. Then to spot a freshman out there and hit him, that was a great point-guard play."

Unusual History

UConn was out-rebounded 55 to 24, t he margin of 31 tied a Big East record. St. John's out-rebounded Seton Hall 64 to 33 in a game on Feb. 26, 1997. But St. John's won that game, 66-62.

Under The Weather

Tyler Olander didn't practice early Thursday; he is fighting off flu symptoms. But after getting out on the court for the pregame warm-ups, he remained in the starting lineup. He did pick up two quick fouls. … Boatright winced after hitting a three-pointer early in the game, having rolled his ankle. He does that a lot, as he did in Germany against Michigan State. But here, as he did there, Boatright came right back into the game and ended up playing 42 minutes. "I knew I had to get back in there," he said. Boatright has been playing with tendinitis in his left knee. He rolled his right ankle during this game. … The game provided a family reunion for UConn assistant coach George Blaney. His son Brian is on the Providence staff. … Vincent Council, who did not start for Providence, a coach's decision, had 15 points and 10 assists in 31 minutes. "I know when he came into the game, he made an impact," Ollie said. … New London's Kris Dunn was 1 for 7 from the floor, getting seven points, eight rebounds, an assist, a block and a steal. He had two turnovers. Dunn's block, the only one PC had in the game,. stopped UConn on its last possession in regulation, forcing OT. … The Huskies had 10 blocks by six different players. … UConn's last win at the Dunkin' Donuts center was Jan. 28, 2006. The Huskies had lost three in a row here. Providence and UConn play again in the season-finale at Gampel on March 9.